Those "grapes" aren't from nematodes. They are what makes a new plant. I've been trying to find out what they are called. I put them in shallow potting soil and mist them w/ water and eventually you have a new little fern. I just split a large fern and now a must have about 2 pints of "grapes". Could some one tell us what they are called? Break apart your plant and you will probably be able to save it. It's probaly root bound.

Water them well and put them in a part shade area - they should put up new fronds. Ferns don't grow from bulbs, they grow from rhizomes or roots.

Nephrolepis cordifolia definitely has a confusing name history, so I can understand how this could happen. It seems to have a ton of common names (and/or is confused with other ferns) including Boston fern, Erect Sword fern, Ladder fern, Narrow Swordfern, Southern Sword fern, Sword fern, Tuber fern, Tuber Ladder fern, Tuber Sword fern, Tuberous Sword fern, Fishbone fern, and Herringbone fern. Nephrolepis cordifolia could be a problem to native vegetation (and wildlife) if you're in Florida. The Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council lists Nephrolepis cordifolia as one of the invasive exotics "which are altering native plant communities by displacing native species, changing community structures or ecological functions, or hybridizing with natives." But since Western swordfern (Polystichum munitum) is native to your area, I'm assuming you're in California. If so, Nephrolepis cordifolia may be less invasive in your area, since it's a tropical fern. If you decide to keep the Nephrolepis cordifolia, and it doesn't survive the winter there, you can always replace it with a Polystichum munitum. If you want to purchase Polystichum munitum and you're in California, you can ask the California Native Plant Society (see link below) for a supplier near you where you can purchase it. Here is a link that might be useful: California Native Plant Society

Hi! This is to tell the folks who have responded to my question on the problem my fern was having: Thank you! My fern seems to be doing better now. Two days after I had posted my question on the fern forum, I dug my fern up. I didn't think I had a lack of H2O on my hands, because I would water it every other day for five minutes each time. The problem was that I was actually giving it too much water. When I had dug it up, I couldn't believe how easily it came up. My soil is mostly clay with some small amount of sand. I was truly expecting to feel like I was pounding against a wall with my shovel, but, no. The shovel went into the soil like slicing butter. That was the quickest I had ever dug anything up in my yard. Anyhow, I re-potted the fern. I had clipped off the affected fronds, and just left it alone for close to a week. I had examined it today. I am happy to report that there are five (5!) new fronds that are growing from the middle of it's trunk. Thank you to all who had responded to my previous post. Sincerely, mbluetyphoon